Why the media always gets it wrong about guns
Why the media always gets it wrong about guns.
Why the media always gets it wrong about guns.
Tag: freedom
Why the media always gets it wrong about guns
TSA Confiscates Pregnant Woman’s Insulin, Ice Packs
Don’t you feel safer now? The TSA screener in Denver decided a pregnant woman’s insulin and ice packs were a threat and confiscated them.
She asked 7NEWS not to use her name for fear of retaliation for speaking out. “I got a bottle of nail polish. I got hair spray bottles. I got needles that are syringes. But yet I can’t take through my actual insulin?” she asked. [emphasis mine]
Don’t you feel safer now? The TSA screener in Denver decided a pregnant woman’s insulin and ice packs were a threat and confiscated them.
She asked 7NEWS not to use her name for fear of retaliation for speaking out. “I got a bottle of nail polish. I got hair spray bottles. I got needles that are syringes. But yet I can’t take through my actual insulin?” she asked. [emphasis mine]
10 years after concealed weapons law, the fearful claims of opponents turn out false
Ten years after the passage of concealed carry laws, the fearful claims of opponents are proven false.
During the debate, opponents of the change warned of gun-toting, trigger-happy citizens loose on the streets. But violent crimes have been rare among carrying a concealed weapon license holders. Only 2% of license holders have been sanctioned for any kind of misbehavior, State Police records show.
Not that the facts matter to these anti-gun advocates:
Still, anti-gun activists say changing the law was a grave mistake. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Web site describes state reforms like the one enacted in Michigan as “a recipe for disaster.”
Ten years after the passage of concealed carry laws, the fearful claims of opponents are proven false.
During the debate, opponents of the change warned of gun-toting, trigger-happy citizens loose on the streets. But violent crimes have been rare among carrying a concealed weapon license holders. Only 2% of license holders have been sanctioned for any kind of misbehavior, State Police records show.
Not that the facts matter to these anti-gun advocates:
Still, anti-gun activists say changing the law was a grave mistake. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Web site describes state reforms like the one enacted in Michigan as “a recipe for disaster.”
The next Jupiter probe heads to the launchpad
Juno, the U.S.’s next Jupiter probe, headed to the launchpad on Friday for a planned August 5 launch.
Juno, the U.S.’s next Jupiter probe, headed to the launchpad on Friday for a planned August 5 launch.
The sun, climate change, and censorship
The chief of CERN has prohibited its scientists from drawing any conclusions from a major experiment that appears to prove that solar activity and the resulting ebb and flow of cosmic rays has a direct effect on the climate.
Two points:
First, the results described provide strong evidence that the sun is a much more important component in climate change than any climate model has previously predicted. These results could help explain the Little Ice Age, which took place around 1700 at exactly the same time the sun became very quiet and stopped producing sunspots for decades. They could explain the Medieval Warm Period around 1000 AD, when cosmic ray activity declined (which also suggests the sun become more active) and the earth apparently warmed. And they might very well even explain the recent cooling during the past decade, which also took place during a period of solar inactivity and a comparable increase in cosmic ray activity.
» Read more
Ten Ways Progressive Policies Harm Society’s Moral Character
The U.S. and the rising Russian space program
The Russians yesterday successfully launched their first space telescope since the fall of the Soviet Union. Here is a Google translation of a Russian article describing Spektr-R’s research goals:
[Spektr-R is] designed to study galaxies and quasars in the radio, the study of black holes and neutron stars in the Milky Way, as well as the regions immediately adjacent to the massive black holes. In addition, using the observatory, scientists expect to receive information about pulsars and the interstellar plasma. It is planned that the “Spektr-R” will work in orbit for at least 5 years.
Though this particular space telescope is probably not going to rewrite the science of astrophysics, its launch is historically significant. It indicates that Russia has just about recovered from the seventy-plus years of bankrupt communist rule that ended in 1990.
» Read more
New Jersey Township threatens to fine diner owner if he doesn’t remove American flag banners
Our government at work: A New Jersey Township has threatened to fine a diner owner if he doesn’t remove a string of American flags.
Our government at work: A New Jersey Township has threatened to fine a diner owner if he doesn’t remove a string of American flags.
The government’s war on cameras and free speech
The government’s war on cameras and free speech.
The government’s war on cameras and free speech.
Statue honoring Ronald Reagan unveiled in London
A 10-foot statue honoring Ronald Reagan was unveiled in London today, on July the Fourth.
A 10-foot statue honoring Ronald Reagan was unveiled in London today, on July the Fourth.
A Fourth of July seder
Man Who Refused To Hand Over Arrest Video Acquitted
A man who correctly refused to hand over his video of an arrest and then was arrested himself for his refusal has been acquitted of all charges.
And I say fire the cops who did this, as they very clearly do not understand the law they are supposed to uphold, and then abuse the power that they have been given.
A man who correctly refused to hand over his video of an arrest and then was arrested himself for his refusal has been acquitted of all charges.
And I say fire the cops who did this, as they very clearly do not understand the law they are supposed to uphold, and then abuse the power that they have been given.
Computer chess program stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned
A computer chess program has been stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned because of accusations of plagiarism.
A computer chess program has been stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned because of accusations of plagiarism.
New Mexico judge orders man to take down abortion billboard
Freedom of speech alert: A New Mexico judge has ordered an Alamogordo man to take down his anti-abortion billboard.
Freedom of speech alert: A New Mexico judge has ordered an Alamogordo man to take down his anti-abortion billboard.
Vietnam veteran threatened with legal action for the American flag outside his home
A Vietnam veteran has been threatened with legal action for the American flag outside his home.
A Vietnam veteran has been threatened with legal action for the American flag outside his home.
Dutch populist Geert Wilders acquitted of hate speech
Dutch politician Geert Wilders was acquitted today of hate speech for his criticisms of Islam.
Not surprisingly, the Islamic whiners who never seem to notice the tens of thousands killed by Islamic terrorists were very unhappy about the ruling.
Farid Azarkan of the SMN association of Moroccans in the Netherlands said he feared the acquittal could further split Dutch society and encourage others to repeat Wilders’s comments. “You see that people feel more and more supported in saying that minorities are good for nothing,” Azarkan said. “Wilders has said very extreme things about Muslims and Moroccans, so when will it ever stop? Some will feel this as a sort of support for what they feel and as justification.”
Minorities groups said they would now take the case to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, arguing the ruling meant the Netherlands had failed to protect ethnic minorities from discrimination. “The acquittal means that the right of minorities to remain free of hate speech has been breached. We are going to claim our rights at the U.N.,” said Mohamed Rabbae of the National Council for Moroccans.
Of course, the murder of innocents by Islamic radicals has nothing to do with the distrust people have of Islam. That’s totally irrelevant, and must be ignored.
Dutch politician Geert Wilders was acquitted today of hate speech for his criticisms of Islam.
Not surprisingly, the Islamic whiners who never seem to notice the tens of thousands killed by Islamic terrorists were very unhappy about the ruling.
Farid Azarkan of the SMN association of Moroccans in the Netherlands said he feared the acquittal could further split Dutch society and encourage others to repeat Wilders’s comments. “You see that people feel more and more supported in saying that minorities are good for nothing,” Azarkan said. “Wilders has said very extreme things about Muslims and Moroccans, so when will it ever stop? Some will feel this as a sort of support for what they feel and as justification.”
Minorities groups said they would now take the case to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, arguing the ruling meant the Netherlands had failed to protect ethnic minorities from discrimination. “The acquittal means that the right of minorities to remain free of hate speech has been breached. We are going to claim our rights at the U.N.,” said Mohamed Rabbae of the National Council for Moroccans.
Of course, the murder of innocents by Islamic radicals has nothing to do with the distrust people have of Islam. That’s totally irrelevant, and must be ignored.
Conservative lawmakers push for pledge cutting spending across the board, capping government spending, and requires a balanced budget amendment.
Conservative lawmakers are coalescing behind a pledge to cut spending across the board while requiring a balanced budget amendment.
This story once again suggests to me that the political winds are definitely favoring big cuts in government spending. Woe to the politician of either party who ignores these winds.
Conservative lawmakers are coalescing behind a pledge to cut spending across the board while requiring a balanced budget amendment.
This story once again suggests to me that the political winds are definitely favoring big cuts in government spending. Woe to the politician of either party who ignores these winds.
Police yesterday shut the Jefferson Memorial to clear out a crowd challenging a ban on dancing inside the monument.
Police yesterday shut the Jefferson Memorial to clear out a crowd protesting the arrest of five people last week for dancing inside the monument.
One man took to the microphone to demand that all intrusive government policies be overturned, specifically mentioning the need to repeal “Obamacare.” Medea Benjamin [of Code Pink] clarified that some participants also wanted a single-payer system, but that all agreed on the right to dance at the memorial.
On some issues we all agree.
Police yesterday shut the Jefferson Memorial to clear out a crowd protesting the arrest of five people last week for dancing inside the monument.
One man took to the microphone to demand that all intrusive government policies be overturned, specifically mentioning the need to repeal “Obamacare.” Medea Benjamin [of Code Pink] clarified that some participants also wanted a single-payer system, but that all agreed on the right to dance at the memorial.
On some issues we all agree.
A federal appeals court has lifted a ban on public prayer at a Texas high school graduation
A federal appeals court has lifted the ban on public prayer at a Texas high school graduation.
Good thing too, as any attempt by the court or the police to tried to stop someone from praying would have backfired very badly.
A federal appeals court has lifted the ban on public prayer at a Texas high school graduation.
Good thing too, as any attempt by the court or the police to tried to stop someone from praying would have backfired very badly.
Facebook tells Tea Party no more organizing
Facebook tells Tea Party advocates: no more organizing.
Facebook tells Tea Party advocates: no more organizing.
Federal Judge Prohibits Prayer at Texas Graduation Ceremony
A federal judge has prohibited prayer at a Texas graduation ceremony.
So how does this fit into anyone’s idea of freedom of religion or speech?
A federal judge has prohibited prayer at a Texas graduation ceremony.
So how does this fit into anyone’s idea of freedom of religion or speech?
You could have heard a pin drop
Five People Arrested in D.C. for Dancing At U.S. Monument
What would Jefferson say? Five people arrested this weekend in D.C. for dancing at the Jefferson memorial monument.
What would Jefferson say? Five people arrested this weekend in D.C. for dancing at the Jefferson memorial monument.
Court throws out Dearborn leaflet ban
A victory for freedom: The court has thrown out the ban on Christian leafleting in Dearborn, Michigan.
A victory for freedom: The court has thrown out the ban on Christian leafleting in Dearborn, Michigan.
Provincial official in Algeria orders churches to close
Tolerance in the Middle East: A provincial official in Algeria has ordered seven Christian churches to close.
In 2008 the government applied measures in accordance with Ordinance 06-03 to limit the activities of non-Muslim groups, ordering the closure of 26 churches in the Kabylie region because they were not registered. No churches had been closed down since then. [Protestant Church of Algeria] members argue, however, that the law is impossible to implement as officials refuse to register their churches despite efforts to comply. They said the authorities apply the law when they want to harass churches.
Tolerance in the Middle East: A provincial official in Algeria has ordered seven Christian churches to close.
In 2008 the government applied measures in accordance with Ordinance 06-03 to limit the activities of non-Muslim groups, ordering the closure of 26 churches in the Kabylie region because they were not registered. No churches had been closed down since then. [Protestant Church of Algeria] members argue, however, that the law is impossible to implement as officials refuse to register their churches despite efforts to comply. They said the authorities apply the law when they want to harass churches.
Kennedy’s Moon speech, May 25, 1961
An evening pause: Fifty years ago tomorrow, on May 25, 1961, John Kennedy spoke to Congress about the world situation and the war between freedom and tyranny. “We stand for freedom,” he began, and finished by committing the United States to sending a man to the Moon and bringing him back safely by the end of the decade.
The clip below shows the first five minutes of that speech. It makes it clear that Kennedy’s main point was not to send the United States to the stars, but to stake out our ground in the battle for freedom and democracy. I will write more about this tomorrow.
To see the whole speech, go to the following link at the Miller Center for Public Affairs.
TSA does a security drill, and forget to tell the police
TSA does a security drill, and forgets to tell the police.
TSA does a security drill, and forgets to tell the police.
Osama’s killing was not only legal, it was morally right
Osama’s killing was not only legal, it was morally right.
Under any sane construction of the laws of war, the killing of Bin Laden was lawful regardless of whether he “raised his hands in surrender” or whether the American soldiers were under orders to shoot without giving him a chance to surrender. By suggesting otherwise, human rights lawyers only make international law look out of step with basic morality and common sense.
The opportunity to surrender is a cherished, civilized and valuable part of warfare. But accepting an enemy’s white flag in the heat of battle is a life-endangering proposition: The flag could be a ruse; a bomb could be hidden; the captors could end up dead. We give enemy soldiers the benefit of this dangerous doubt for two reasons. First, because soldiers who have fought honorably, complying with the laws of war, have earned it. And second, because we want the enemy to treat our soldiers the same way.
Neither reason applies, however, to enemies who flagrantly violate the laws of war, targeting civilians for death, hiding bombs behind burkas, using children as shields or — yes — faking a Red Cross, upraised hands or other symbolic white flags to perpetrate lethal attacks. A white flag makes a statement. It says, I’m giving up; I’m unarmed and pose no threat; I respect the laws of war under which this flag must never be used as a ruse, and I am not using it as a ruse to attack you. Even if we imagine Bin Laden actually waving a little white sock on a stick in Abbottabad, there would have been no reason for our soldiers to credit these statements. No soldier had a duty to take the slightest risk to his own life because Osama bin Laden promised to be good from now on. [emphasis mine]
Philly Police Harass, Threaten to Shoot Man Legally Carrying Gun
Philladelphia police harass, threaten to shoot man legally carrying gun.
Philladelphia police harass, threaten to shoot man legally carrying gun.
Google closes blog, cuts off people who criticize Google
Not good: Google shuts off blog, then cuts off people who criticize Google.
Not good: Google shuts off blog, then cuts off people who criticize Google.